An – I know I write really short chapters but you must agree they are fun chapters. Can someone tell me how I can make a break in the story?
Disclaimer- read the one I wrote for the previous chapter.
Chapter 4
Alex felt at peace with himself and the world. Standing here on the hill with the sun beating down on his back, his retinue half a mile away and Tempest by his side it seemed like nothing could go wrong.. Frell was indeed a beautiful place. He had been here when he was 19. That was when he had first met Owen. Owen was originally from Frell. This was the first time he was going to meet the Royal siblings of Frell. When he had come they had all been very young, too young to care about princes and balls. But now it was different. Alex sighed. At 30 it was unlikely he would fall in love. He was too cynical to believe in love. This was to be a marriage to ensure political peace between the two kingdoms. God knows how many females had thrown themselves at him over the past years. He was too hardhearted too care. Even Owen had given up asking him about his lady loves. It was a private affair. He preferred to keep quiet about it. Tempest was probably the only person who did not provoke his temper now.
He stroked Tempest neck in answer to the horses whinny. He looked around trying to locate the cause of Tempests discomfort. Up ahead slightly to the left he espied a cloaked stranger riding a huge black stallion. He was impressed by the strangers' horsemanship and waited for the rider to approach. . The horse stopped a few meters away and the rider easily dismounted whispering a few comforting words to the stallion and strode forward confidently letting the hood of the cloak of fall.
Alex first reaction was to pinch himself but refrained from doing so. A dusky girl who must have been 18 at the most with dark brown hair the color of Tempest's coat stood before him. He wasn't sure how long it was as it was tied up in a bun. Her eyes were like the leaves of the trees dappled by shadows. Her features were by no means perfect but seemed to fit perfectly in her face. He had seen many beauties over his lifetime but this one was very unusual. She looked frail but strong. She did not look like she had any pretensions.
Alex mouth curled into an ugly smirk as he realized this must be another ploy to make him marry somebody. His fists clenched slightly. Seeing this the maiden suddenly spoke up ,"Welcome to Frell. Prince Alexander. I am Princess Eleanor the youngest child of Queen Ella and King Char. Long may they reign. I crave an audience with you to lay before you a proposition concerning your engagement to the eldest daughter of Queen Ella and King Char, Princess Aria." Eve winced at the formal words that seemed to fly out of her mouth. She used the formal language of the court unsure of how the prince would react. She was interested in politics unlike her sister and was hence able to converse so easily in the formal court language. Alex opened his mouth his face still a bit grim, "First of all no need for the formality. I'm Alex. How may I help you?" Eve grinned gratefully, "I'm sorry I'm Eve. I think its best we sit down somewhere we won't be seen. There's something I need to tell you." Eve led the prince to a copse nearby. Though it wasn't obvious Eve was nervous. What she was about to do was downright brazen and she quaked wondering what the prince would do to her if he found it offensive. He looked a lot older then he should have for his age. Obviously the care of the kingdom weighed heavy on his shoulders despite all those rumors about his philandering ways. She stole a quick look at the prince's profile. His eyes showed he was far away thinking about something else. His eyes were a bright electric blue unlike Arias much softer blue. His firm jaw line accented the soft sensuous mouth. His curly hair looked like he had been running his hands threw them in frustration. The rumors were right about one thing. He was very handsome.
Eve threw herself underneath a tree looking up at the prince who had elected to continue standing beside Tempest. Khasin was little further away grazing. She started off without any preamble.
"I know you wish to marry my sister. But would you mind terribly if you married me instead?" Despite the shock Alex managed to look unperturbed only letting one eyebrow rise in a questioning manner. Eve hurried on to explain hers self. "I know I'm not half as pretty as Aria. She is a lot less headstrong then I am. But she loves Edward and can't marry you. She would have already married him if it weren't for the blasted ogres. Kester seems to think you'll prefer me more because I'm far more independent." Alex mouth twitched though he spoke without a tremor, "Child. I think you should start from the beginning instead of plunging straight into the middle." So Eve told him. She told him of how Aria was distraught. How Kester had broken the news. How she had had come up with the idea sitting in the library. How she had ridden hard hoping to catch him before he met her parents. "I'm hoping you'll pick me. Faye is far too flighty. You need someone who'll stay out of your way and let you do your own thing. It shall be a marriage of convenience. I promise I'll ignore your um… indiscretions and will not interfere in any aspect of your life." Alex had a whimsical smile on his face. He looked down gently on the girl who sat before him speaking like a woman. "Don't you think you're a bit young to decide that you will never fall in love? " Eve looked up at him in shock "But you need to marry one of us. I'm the only one who is available. I don't think I'll fall in love. Pufit! Love. I'd be lucky if I get a semblance of what my mother and father have. Since I won't settle for anything less. It might as well be a marriage d' convenance. "Alex was impressed by her unconscious use of the Elvish and Fae tounge. Obviously this girl was no blushing fool. He turned on his foot and mounted Tempest." Be ready. I'm an impatient man. I just hope your parents agree to this for I would hate to disappoint them." He felt something stir inside him as he watched how joy could transform the face on Eve into a vision of perfection.
"Oh thank you so much!"
"I hope you'll be able to get back without attracting any attention". Alex laughed at the impish look of mischief that entered her eyes. "Don't worry they won't have even realized that I had left" She mounted Khasin and rode off into the horizon as Alex watched her an odd smile playing on his lips.